Although I have many years working as a professional land surveyor, I have very little experience running a survey business. One matter of immediate concern is how to prepare a good contract with a potential client.
Does anyone know where I could obtain a simple but good sample contract that I could use as a starting point for preparing my own?
Thank you.
Bob deVink
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Replies
I too would appreciate any examples of contracts
Thanks
Chris Byer
[email protected]
Could I get one too, please?
Thank you
I apologize if I did not send out examples of the contracts we use to the people who ask for it. I have done so now and I hope this helps. Sorry I took so long to get back to you.
Deward,
Once again, I would like to express my appreciation for the great pointers contained in your article, as well as those by ePalmetto.
However I would still like to get a sample or two, to help me get mine set up. No clients' names, of course should be included in the sample.
Thank you.
Bob deVink PLS
206-375-9411
[email protected]
I would also like to see this contract, I have a client which is insisting that I sign his contract with a defend clause in it, meaning I would have to defend my client even against non survey related items. I don't feel that this is fair as my liability exposure will be too great. Any advice would be great!!!!!!!!!!
Dominic L. Agresta PLS/RLS
Cell: 1-302-569-0680
Email: [email protected]
AF&AM
Presenting your own contract to clients will enable you to establish acceptable terms and conditions in many areas governing your work. This article will support the need to use contracts on every project by briefly touching on several topics.
Scope of Service: A well-defined scope of service will set the expectations for your client. A clear scope explains what you are going to perform and at what price. Just as important, the scope disclaims responsibility for other project items for which you are not responsible (i.e. project scheduling, construction management, OSHA compliance and job site safety, environmental site assessments, geotechnical engineering, etc.). While nothing in a contract can prevent a client from naming a surveyor in a suit, a clearly defined scope of services can expedite the dismissal of a frivolous claim, which can cost surveyors significant time, money, and frustration.
Standard of Care: Additionally, it is important to complement the scope section with a short section that outlines the definition of standard of care for your client. According to common law, professionals, including surveyors, are required to provide their services in a manner consistent with other professionals practicing within similar conditions and in a similar locale. Contract language that extends the standard of care to one of “highest” or “best” should be avoided. Those terms are not measurable and hold a professional to an unachievable standard.
Approvals: Your contract should protect you (while again managing the expectations of your client) by stating that the site plan approval process is inherently out of the surveyor’s control. The intent is to eliminate the client’s temptation to sue if a project fails to meet the client’s particular timeline.
Ownership of Documents: As a project progresses, your client fills its file with your “work product,” commonly referred to as “instruments of service.” This can include general correspondence, feasibility studies, reports, preliminary designs, and eventually a sealed plan. A good contract states that the documents produced by you are for the client’s benefit and for the specific referenced project only.
Professional liability claims can blindside a design professional. Take for instance a project that the surveyor started but never finished since their client “flipped” the project to a different developer. When this occurred, the surveyor’s work was handed to the new owner who hired another surveying firm to finish the project. When a claim is presented, too often, the original design firm is named as a defendant.
To help protect your firm against such unfortunate circumstances, present a contract that requires the indemnity of the client in the event that your work is modified, misused, or reused without your prior written consent. If they want your work, make them pay for it!
Payment Terms: A clear definition of payment terms can provide a surveyor with necessary leverage to collect fees. During negotiations, you and your client should establish payment timeless. In the event that your client does not adhere to the terms, your contract will allow you to stop work and withhold any deliverables.
The timely collection of fees is an element of running a business that no one enjoys, but working under a fair and reasonable contract can make this process a little easier. Rather than the call-and-scream approach (or even worse, begging!) you now simply direct your client to the contract provision and advise them that, unfortunately, you’ll be unable to continue until payment is received.
Indemnification: Sophisticated clients always look for a section on indemnification in a contract. Simply put, this outlines how the party who suffers damages (i.e. bodily injury, property damage, or economic loss) will be compensated or held harmless by the other party whose actions were the proximate cause of the loss.
Rather than have the client deliver a contract that contains provisions that may look for indemnification well beyond the scope of your insurance coverage, take the lead and volunteer equitable indemnity provisions upfront. An acceptable indemnity provision clearly states that the duty to indemnify shall be limited to claims arising “out of” and “in proportion” to the surveyor’s (or the surveyor’s subcontractor’s) negligence.
Limitation of Liability: This is another important topic that deserves a dedicated article in the future. Limitation of liability clauses are often upheld by courts and are an effective way to manage risk. However, keep in mind two key points: limitation of liability clauses are constantly being challenged in court, and limitation of liability applies solely to your clients who represent only 60 percent of the claims filed against surveyors. Unfortunately, you still have to worry about the other 40 percent of potential claimants for whom the limitation of liability does not apply.
Improved Success: Today, just about every client expects work by a contractor or a consultant to be performed under a written agreement. The use of a well-prepared contract will help promote the professionalism of both the surveying firm and the surveying industry. A professional approach helps establish a strong foundation from which a small operation can graduate to a sophisticated consulting firm able to service clients and projects of all sizes. From the vantage point of an agency that insures more than 700 design firms, performing profitable work under a proper contract adds value to a firm when the time comes for the owners to merge or sell their company.
Unfortunately, we live in a litigious society and cannot avoid claims – a reality to all in the industry. The key is limiting the disruption to a firm when the claim arises. Transferring the financial liability to an insurance carrier is pivotal to effectively address claims. In the instance of a frivolous suit, a solid contract will diminish the time spent to defend the claim and will help the firm return its focus to producing profitable work. Also, the regular use of an acceptable contract can lower professional liability premiums, as many insurance carriers reward surveying firms that actively manage their risks.
Good luck to you on your business venture. I have written several articles on contracts. If you message me with your email address I can scan our current contract and send it to you. Here is a link to one of the articles that is still on the Web.
http://landsurveyorsunited.com/profiles/blogs/chain-contracts-and-t...
Justin Farrow has a number of good ideas also having to do with websites and content. He has written several articles on this.
Deward~
I know this is an old thread but I'd like to have a look as well.......if still possible. Thanks!
[email protected]
Hi Deward,
I would also be grateful for a copy of an example contract.
[email protected]
Regards,
Daniel
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